Joe J. Eassa, Jr.,
Professor of Graduate Business Studies
A.A.. B.S.B.A., University of Florida; MBA, Florida Atlantic University; DBA. Nova
University (name subsequently changed to, Nova Southeastern University); additional
studies completed through the American Institute of Banking. Prior to his employment
with PBA (part-time 1975;full-timesince 1977)he served in various positions including
President, Eassa and Associates/Commercial Mortgage Banking; Senior Vice President
for new business development for Central Bank of Palm Beach County; Village Manager
for North Palm Beach, Florida; Acting City Manager for West Palm Beach, Florida; and
City Clerk and Insurance Administrator for the City of West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr.
Eassa has served in the capacity of Professional Management Consultant (fee basis) to
numerous local small business and manufacturing firms, and to some legal, dental, and
medical firms. In 1979 he developed the university's undergraduate program in
Accounting. which was approved by the Florida Institute of CPA's. In 1988 he was
named the Alexander Proudfoot Skills Professor of Business. The university's first
graduate program, the MBA program was founded and inaugurated under his leadership
in August 1989. Beginning in August 1989to May 1999he served as Director for the
MBA program and from May 1999to November 15. 2002 he served as Associate Dean
for Graduate Business Studies. In earlier years, he served PBA as Assistant to the
President, Acting Executive Vice President, Dean of Administrative and Financial
Affairs, Associate Dean for RSB, and Acting Dean for RSB. He is the recipient of the
Ann Gold Distinguished Professor Award in September 1988. He also served as
Chairman for the faculty gifts division for the Decade of Challenge Campaign in 1986.
In November 1997,the Rinker MBA Association established the Dr. Joe J. Eassa, Jr.
Endowed scholarship which had an original goal of $10,000.00;today (July 1. 2003) the
Endowment is in excess of $75,000.00,and the award(s) is/are made to qualified MBA
students in May of each year. He has been a member of the Academy of Management
since 1977and over the years he has served as a Chairperson. Discussant.and Reviewer
for the Management History Division. In 1995he was invited by United States Secretary
of Commerce Ron Brown to apply for membership on the examination team which
evaluates prospective American enterprises to determine eligibility to receive the
Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award. Dr. Eassa has been an active member of the United
Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches since 1949,having served in a number of roles
over the years including membership on the Board of Trustees. Church Lay Leader, and
Sunday School teacher for the Semper Fidelis class. He has also served as a member of
the Advisory Board for both Bethune Cookman College.and Florida Southern College.
Dr. Eassa and his wife, Beatriz have one child, Stephanie, who is an honor student at the
University of Florida where she is currently enrolled in the 3-2 (BS in Accounting;
Master in Taxation program).
Dr. Eassa is also a member of the Editorial Board or the Journal of Applied
Management and Entrepreneurship.